LOYD STAR — The best season in Loyd Star boys soccer came to an end Tuesday night. St. Patrick, a private catholic school who can recruit players from anywhere, beat the Hornets 4-1. Two of those goals came in the final minutes of the MHSAA Class 1 playoff match. 

Loyd Star led St. Patrick for 50 minutes after Kaleb Waldrop scored a goal with 29 minutes left in the first half. Waldrop capitalized on a mistake in the St. Patrick backline. From there, Loyd Star buckled down and competed for 50/50 balls, kept their defensive shape and played great soccer to close out the first half. 

St. Patrick pulled even on a counter attack after a foul was not called during a Loyd Star breakaway with 25 minutes left in the second half. Loyd Star battled to maintain an even match to 13 minutes left to go. 

A penalty kick was awarded to St. Patrick with 12 minutes left in the match and the Fighting Irish took a 2-1 lead. St. Patrick extended the lead to 3-1 on a great counter attack with 4:30 left in the second half. Loyd Star pushed players up for a free kick and were unable to defend a counter attack in the dying seconds as St. Patrick scored a late goal to close the game at 4-1. 

Head Coach Jordan Lea told his team after the game there was nothing he could tell them that would make them feel better. Loyd Star went 17-2-3 with an 8-0 district record and district championship. 

“No one else could have done what you have done. You went toe to toe with one of the better teams in the state,” Lea said. “Their coach tells me he thinks they have the best team on the coast. You laid it all out and as coaches that is all we can ask for. As your coach personally, I’m really proud and I appreciate you pouring sweat and tears into the team.”

Senior Ronnie Smith walked off the field with his head held high. The defender was part of a team effort to limit chances for St. Patrick. 

“It was a tough battle all the time. We fought the whole time,” Smith said. “They just had some good opportunities but it was a good battle.”

This was Smith’s fourth year playing for the Hornets. He started in ninth grade. Loyd Star’s program has grown tremendously in those four years. 

Smith said the team used to be about booting the ball up field and trying to chase the game. They have played more technical soccer over the last couple of years. Loyd Star’s style of play was at its best this year. 

“We started making runs and plays and everyone has improved tremendously,” Smith said. “It helped a lot tonight. Last time we played a team from the coast we got whooped. This time it was as close as we could get it.”

He credits Lea with his growth as a player. Smith said he will miss the group of guys at Loyd Star. 

His advice to younger players is to try hard and practice as much as they can. 

“It goes by quickly,” Smith said. 

After high school, he will attend Co-Lin and play in the marching band. At Loyd Star, Smith played the tenor drums. His plan for after Co-Lin is to attend Mississippi State University where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Smith said he has always been good at math and physics fascinated him. 

Coaches and players hugged seniors Alex Gonzalez, Ronnie Smith and Mason Smith goodbye as they took their last steps off the soccer field. Lea’s last words to the young men carried on their hearts. 

“I appreciate the seniors and there is no way to replace you,” Lea said. “I just hope you can look and see how proud we are of all of you.”